Montana Indigenous Education Implementation Class Action Settlement
Montana Office of Public Instruction and Montana Board of Public Education · Montana Indian Education for All program and related K-12 public education · Settlement Reached
About this case
Montana students, families, and tribes allege that the Montana Office of Public Instruction and Montana Board of Public Education failed to properly implement and enforce the state’s constitutional and statutory requirements for Indigenous education, including by allowing school districts to misuse designated funds. The parties reached settlements in the class action; the latest settlement received preliminary court approval and remains subject to final approval after a notice period.
Case overview
- Defendant company
- Montana Office of Public Instruction and Montana Board of Public Education
- Product or service
- Montana Indian Education for All program and related K-12 public education
- Court case number
- DDV-21-0398
- Case status
- Settlement Reached
- Lawsuit type
- Other
- Reported harm
- Other
Participation information
Settlement Claim
The verified matter is a class action involving Montana students and guardians and participating Montana Tribal Nations concerning implementation of the Indian Education for All requirement in K-12 public schools. An official class definition for claim purposes was not located.
- Type
- Settlement Claim
- Payout
- Non-cash injunctive relief rather than monetary payments: the settlement requires stronger Indian Education for All accountability through accreditation and monitoring, school reporting and oversight, appropriate use of IEFA funds, and formal Tribal consultation and participation in curriculum development.
- Reported proof requirement
- Unclear
Sources
- Montana Indigenous Education Implementation Class Action Settlement
U.S. News & World Report ·